Beltline officials start petition to impress federal overlords

• CITY OF ATLANTA

Beltline officials hope that Washington, D.C. picks the proposed 22-mile loop of parks, trails and (one day) transit for an upcoming round of federal funding.

To boost the its chances, officials have started an online petition to show federal overlords just how much the hoi polloi support the $2.8 billion project.

From Atlanta Beltline Inc., the organization tasked with developing the project:

The Atlanta Development Authority and Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. are applying for a federal grant that would provide funding to complete 7 miles of the Atlanta BeltLine Corridor and more than 8 miles of new streetscape improvements abutting the corridor. If we receive all of the requested funding in this application, the Atlanta BeltLine will have a minimum of 11 miles of completed multi-use trail in just three years! The development of the Atlanta BeltLine corridor is the first step in realizing the vision of creating a new public space and transportation system for Atlanta which will connect more than 45 different neighborhoods.

An interesting side note: The federal funding in question, TIGER II, is the same pot of money city officials and downtown boosters think could help build the streetcar project that would link Centennial Olympic Park to Edgewood and Auburn avenues.

We'll try to find out what segments are being eyed for the improvements. If you'd like to add your name to the cause, you can sign the petition here.